Korea seen as a rising star of the Self-Propelled, Artillery Market Options

[YManchun]

http://www.defencetalk.com/news/publish/article_002429.shtml

NEWTOWN, Conn: The international market for self-propelled artillery remains robust. In its annual analysis "The World Market for Self-Propelled Artillery Systems" the Forecast International Weapons Group forecasts the international market will produce over 4,200 self-propelled artillery systems -- worth in excess of $13.99 billion -- over the coming 10 year forecast period.

In terms of technical trends, most developmental efforts currently concentrate on three main areas: self-propulsion, ordnance and ammunition standardization, and ammunition development. The various players in the international market are adapting to an evolving market environment, precipitated by the end of the Cold War and the emergence of new threat scenarios and military doctrines.

Dean Lockwood, a weapons systems analyst at Forecast International, notes that the days of the U.S. and Europe dominating new production in the international self-propelled artillery market appear to be long gone. The international weapons glut and the influx of new players have combined to shift control of the market away from the traditional U.S. and European players. However, these traditional players continue to dominate the rather exclusive high end of the market, while the new players have effectively taken over the significantly larger lower end of the market.

According to Lockwood, "The rising star of the international market is now the South Korean firm Samsung Techwin." Between licensed production of the M109A2 and production of the K9 Thunder, Samsung Techwin has emerged as the most significant single player on the international self propelled artillery market. Accounting for over 25 percent of all new production – worth over 33 percent of the total market value – this relative newcomer to the market will, in effect, carry the market for the next decade with its existing domestic and Turkish contracts.

Nevertheless, the U.S. and European players continue to make their presence felt. The NATO-standard 155mm ordnance and ammunition, the state-of-the-art Panzer¬haubitze 2000, and the ever-popular M109 series continue to set the standard for self-propelled artillery design.

Despite the international glut of self-propelled artillery systems and the uncertainties of the post-Cold War world, the international self-propelled artillery market remains a vibrant, dynamic environment. New threat scenarios and transformational military doctrines continue to provide ample opportunities in this evolving market. Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003-present) has clearly demonstrated the continuing role of self-propelled tube artillery in modern ground combat operations. In an age of smart bombs and tactical missiles, tube artillery remains the most cost-effective means of rapidly delivering large amounts of munitions on a target within a 50-kilometer (31-mile) range fan.

Said Lockwood: "During Operation Iraqi Freedom, the dust storms of March 2003 effectively neutralized and preempted most guided, air-launched munitions. Yet, conventional tube artillery soldiered on through the storms, delivering fire when and where the infantrymen needed it."

Forecast International, Inc. is a leading provider of Market Intelligence and Analysis in the areas of aerospace, defense, power systems and military electronics. Based in Newtown, CT, USA, Forecast International specializes in long-range industry forecasts and market assessments utilized by strategic planners, marketing professionals, military organizations, and governments worldwide.

[hi-head]

hmm...thought the age of projectiles has ended with all those smart bombs. samsung sells weapons too?
starting to get scared of that company

[YManchun]

Samsung is one of the major companies in weapons developement in Korea. Most of their production is on ground weapons/support systems like Amphibious Assualt Vehicles and Combat Engineering vehicles. Though they do have licensing agreement in production of the engines of the F15K, and are in coproduction in the T-50/A-50.

[onepairofpant]

artillery is useless?

what do you think smart bombs grow on trees? artillery shells sorta do, they're cheap and effective

even during the war in iraq now they used artillery to take down targets, artillery nowadays can take down targerts accurately at up to a 30 mile range, its a huge asset to the troops on the ground and its cheap and effective

[hi-head]

hell yea artillery, humankind's favorite siege weapon since ancient times, can create havoc for those who are showered upon. i know it was super effective in the korean war, wonder how effective it was in vietnam tho.

[koreanpatriot]

samsung does weapons?!
omg lol that's so cool haha
shows how smart koreans are (IMG:http://www.asiafinest.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[hilikus]

Koreans still has not matched America's weapons advancement. Raytheon (complicit in 9/11) has developed a 'light beam' that gives off extreme heat, also other technology that uses microwaves to derail projectile weapons.

[epicanthics]

The US is developing energy pulse weapons as well.

No matter. It doesn't matter whether your @$$ is hit with a plasma bolt or a 155mm shell. It's still your @$$. Good for Korea.